Furbuyer probably figures half the coyotes he buys the tails are tainted anyway.

The tails don't matter,dont waste time pulling the bone,just lop them off with the ears and legs.
The only reason I pin them out is I need them guaranteed good for hood trim and hats.

Probably shouldn't cut them off.

"The tail bone should be pulled out when skinning and then the tail should be split so it can properly dry. Tails should not
be cut off. The pelts look better complete with the tail, and if there is no portion of the tail extending from the butt the pelt
will be graded Slight Damage."

Well I guess If your getting them tanned you can go the extra mile but for the general fur trade I don't see It being an issue.
I have yet to have NFA call me and say well all your coyote tails feel off on the grading table.
And I can tell you this I have marked my coyotes and they have been drummed and kept track of and then I have gone over them with the grader. So far they all left NAFA with the tails on.
I still don't understand coyote grading LOL

I assume if your having them tanned you could leave them fur in and no need to turn them? Is that assumption correct?

Yes that is correct,if you know for sure you will tan them all.I go thru them after they are stretched and dried and grade out the ones I will tan, then ship the rest.I handle everything the same.

I split the tail and let them hang, period. Have had lots dressed, tails were perfect. The tail is the first part of the pelt to dry. By the end of the first day on the forms, the tail is already stiff. And I'm picky about my fur.....

As a tanner I can say if you want good tails,they are better split than not split,and better yet when split and pinned.

Thanks everyone. I'm not tanning them, they will be sold to the fur buyer. I DO split the tails, just never heard of pinning them. As Mr. Steinmeyer said, the tails are the first to dry, so I never worried about them. I could see a benefit if I was going to tan them though.

I don't like to think of it as an extra mile; more like an extra foot. BTW we do have fat on our tails. Probably the first 2 or 3 inches anyway.

Sometimes I think people just like to argue.

no we don't.

We aren't arguing. We are having a civilized discussion.

I guess I could be out catching unprime fur.

but its been cold and cloudy so it's probably all prime alredy.

For the record, I haven't set a single trap yet.

tony split all your tails it only take a few minute

also pin them

I'll give it a whirl this year. Can't hurt

Getting borderline pelts bumped up by the graders for good handling always improves your avg.
No matter what anyone says,pride in your work does pay dividends in anything you do.